Since starting my new job, I’ve been slowly putting on weight. I’m not thrilled with this, since I was carrying more than my fair share to begin with. While I’m still looking for an exercise solution that I’ll be able to stick with in the long run, I’ve set my focus on other places in my life where I can make some improvements.
I drink too much soda. Out of everything I consume, soda is probably the worst thing for me. Empty calories, sugar water, etc. Getting a handle on this would also be a huge help.
A year or two ago, I came to a similar realization that I was drink too much soda. The resolution at the time was to quit keeping soda in the house, since that’s where I was drinking most of it. That worked really well. The problem now is that there’s soda in the fridge at work, and I’ve been having a can of Coke almost every day, as well as having soda almost every day with lunch.
I’m a firm believer in setting realistic goals. If I said that I wanted to quit drinking soda entirely, it wouldn’t happen. We would go on a car trip, or go out to dinner, or to a movie, and I would have a soda, and end up giving up. But the problem is not the occasional soda when I’m out - the problem is the regular soda as part of my routine.
So starting last week, I’ve quit drinking soda entirely while I’m at work. This means no soda with lunch and no soda in the afternoon. It’s especially hard when it’s really hot in the office and I can hear other people cracking open cold sodas, but luckily, we have a really good water cooler that gives ice cold water, so I’ve been drinking that whenever I get a craving. Wish me luck!
I'm a 30-year-old 
Um…Diet Dr Pepper?
April 6th, 2006 at 12:31 am
I side with Mr. Pat on this one, actually. While I do agree that there are much better things to drink than soda, and I applaud your water drinking, I have to say that when I crave a soda, I head for the diet Dr. P. first and formost. I despise the diet taste of most sodas, but for some reason, Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Cherry Coke have enough other flavors to mask it.
I started looking at diet sodas when I had my root canal, and thought maybe I didn’t need to bathe my teeth in sugar on a regular basis.
If you like Fresca anything like I do, I found much to my delight that it’s not only sugar-free, but also caffeine free.
April 6th, 2006 at 9:26 am
I try to fill up my water bottle regularly during work too. It means more trips to the bathroom but I think it makes me feel better and although I was never a big fan of water growing up I do look forward to it now.
The other thing is that soda is one of the worst things for you to drink when it’s hot and you’re trying to cool down. It’s a diuretic so it makes your body lose what water it has faster.
Me gusta agua!
April 8th, 2006 at 11:50 am
My soda answer has been to buy a 12-pack when it’s on sale, and then go without until something’s on sale again. Only semi-effective, since I work four blocks from Safeway and they always have something on sale. But a good plan, nonetheless.
What do usually eat for lunch? We have a full kitchen at work, so I keep lots of cold cuts and have a “super” sandwich most days, plus yogurt or fruit.
But, once I get my bike fixed, I also have a 14-mile round-trip bike commute to work.
April 12th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Urn may recall that I used to drink 12-14 Cokes per day. I can have perhaps one a week now without going into shock.
I’m honestly surprised that they even provide us with soda here, given the problems we have with dehydration in this environment. Of course, most people’s environments are a little different.
I drink a lot of water, of course, with a fair quantity of Gatorade for electrolytes. I prefer Powerade (not as sweet tasting), but it’s hard to get here.
Good luck on your endeavors. =) I lost weight while I was out on the mission last month, but that was more from lousy food than exercise.
Sig
May 10th, 2006 at 3:51 am